Digital News Report – Researchers from Germany found a highly sensitive Troponin I blood test could help identify a heart attack within three hours compared to the current test that can take up to 12 – 16 hours to insure an accurate result. The study was reported in the December 28 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA.

If a person complains of chest pain in the emergency room, an electrocardiogram could sometimes appear normal during a heart attack. That is when a blood test is important because it could be used to help determine if the person is having a heart attack.

This more sensitive troponin I blood test will help medical professional be better able to diagnosis heart attacks faster and with less expense.